Chapter Text
For the first time in her life, Lauren actually had a good dinner date. Of course, this was also the first time she was going out with someone she actually liked. Technically it wasn’t the first time that she’d gone on a date with Kieran, but this time felt…different. This time, there was some sort of unspoken feeling in the air between the two, but it wasn’t bad. Far from it actually. It was actually quite wonderful, to be able to grab him by the arm and pull him along to wherever she pleased and hear him laugh and complain half-heartedly, to talk and talk until the sky fell into darkness and the street lamps turned on. It felt warm and natural and beautiful to be with this man. Everything he did, laughing, talking, even his corny flirting, went straight to her heart, to the corner specially reserved for Kieran White.
After finishing a spectacularly unhealthy dinner consisting of meat and dessert, Kieran suggested a stroll in the park before heading back home. Lauren agreed, which is how the two of them were currently strolling down the deserted sidewalk of Ardhalis Park.
“-And then that idiot tried to run away after splashing his coffee, ice cold mind you, on my uniform.”
Kieran chuckled. “That must’ve ended well.”
“It did, if you count getting arrested and thrown in jail for assault as a good ending.”
“So a good ending for you then?”
Lauren rolled her eyes. “Believe it or not, I’m not that petty, Kieran. I took no pleasure in it, whatsoever .”
Kieran let out a low whistle. “Now that is a bold-faced lie, detective. I can’t believe that you would lie to me, even after all we’d been through. Shame on you!” He looked smugger and smugger by the second.
Lauren stuck her tongue out at him. “Do me a favor and shut up.”
Without warning, Kieran grabbed her by the hand and spun her around so she faced him. Putting a hand on her back, he leaned forward and whispered in her ear, “Make me, won’t you chérie ?”
“Alright then.” Lauren put a gentle hand on his chest and promptly pushed him towards the nearest lamp post. Placing her other hand next to his head, she gripped his shirt and looked him in the eye. “I like you, Kieran White. I’ve liked you for quite a while, and right now I’d like to kiss you, so can I?”
Kieran smiled. Placing a hand on her face, he briefly glanced to her lips with a half-lidded gaze before whispering, “I’m all yours, Lauren.”
That was all it took for her to lean forward and kiss him.
Hands on her back, laced through her hair, lips on hers. It felt like heaven.
Who knew a dimly-lit park at night in the middle of winter could be so warm?